Sandra, I don't remember you mentioning before that you too were being treated for cancer. You sound very positive when you describe the relationship between your Oncologist, Receptionist & Yourself. And as you so sensitively say: "....maybe next year".

The 'launch' of 'The Voyage of The Rainbow' has had to be postponed yet again. All being well, she will be afloat this coming Friday, 8th June. My med. tests (Diabetes confirmed), keep clashing with the Apple Store. Just had a slightly bizarre thought, will it be safe for me to visit a store called 'Apple', now that I'm diabetic....??!! Awkward attempt at humour...trying to lighten my mood...only got the diagnosis this morning (Wednesday).

It's Jane's Silver Wedding Anniversary today. We all so want twenty-five years to become twenty-six. Much Love to You All, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx

It may take a while to adjust to the diabetes diagnosis, but now that you know you can start doing what you need to do to take care of yourself Many people use the expression "control diabetes." I prefer to say that I manage it. Best wishes that you will soon find what works best for your body.

You always think that you're the only one with a particular problem, until, that is, you begin to write about it on Mudcat. Since January, Ann & I have realised increasingly that we are not alone...we share similar, if not identical, 'trials & tribulations' with so many of you. I like to think of us all living on 'Mudcat Avenue'...good neighbours dropping in for a coffee & a chat, getting together for a yard sale (Our younger Daughter lives in Charlotte, NC), spending lazy days at the seaside with a watchful eye on the kids! Life was like that when I was a child...beach games...lying in the un-cut grass in the fields behind our house, gazing up at a clear blue sky (the sky was always blue when we were kids wasn't it?). Something's got lost along the way...everything seems so serious now... except on 'Mudcat Avenue'. Blue skies, unlatched doors, even some un-cut grass (to which the Resident's Association turn a blind eye), coffee on the stove. I know that I have to live in the 'Here & Now', but just occasionally, I think it does no harm to remember the time when Grandma & Grandpa were still alive. My 'Here & Now' is not very comfortable at the moment, which is why, I suppose, I want to reflect & be 'somewhere else'. My thanks, as always, for your Love & Compassion, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx PS The coffee's just about ready.

'The Voyage of the Rainbow' was uploaded to YouTube this afternoon. YouTube are doing what they have to with these things, so the link is not yet active. However, if you go to Nigel Paterson Music on YT (my Music Channel) & are a bit of a wizz with computers, you might be able to discover where she's moored! Happy Hunting, Nigel.

Big thanks to Bruce for the gracious comments & for creating the 'clicky' (should be able to do that for myself by now!) Big thanks also to maeve, kat & gnu for your gracious comments...touched doesn't come close. To gnu...I won't find out until Monday whether it's Type 1 or 2. To kat..."deep down belly gut larf....." ABSOLUTELY! Wonderful piece of comedy writing. Would work equally well on Radio or TV. Laughter is such effective medicine & it's free! 'The Voyage of The Rainbow' was dedicated to & written for everyone who has contributed to this amazing thread, including all those good people who visit but choose not to comment. To that end, I will not be promoting it commercially. I want to retain a sense of exclusivity, which would be sullied if I prepared a score to sell. This piece is for You, it's for Jane & her Family, my beloved Ann & our Family. Much Love, Happy Listening, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Jane has returned to Dubai for what will almost certainly be the last time. Just time to celebrate her Wedding Anniversary, tie up some loose ends & say her goodbyes. Her condition remains stable, i.e. the cancer still has not spread any further. She seems determined to put all her energy into each day as it comes, making each day count, making each day a day on which she can look back with a measure of satisfaction & pleasure. The whole Family will be back permanently in the UK, once Jane's children have finished this term's schooling. After that, as my late Father used to say: "Press on regardless". With Love, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx

Or if you can bear the thought of listening to some of my other pieces too:

http://www.youtube.com/user/NIGELPATERSONMUSIC

I C&P'd the urls from YT straight into the 'clicky maker', but they didn't turn blue (my favourite colour as it happens). Expert Musician...Crap Clicky-Maker...what am I doing wrong? It's finally stopped raining & blowing a gale & the sun's come out. As one of my college friends often used to say: "Have a Weekend!" With Love, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx

Nigel... just to the bottom right of the box I am typing in now is "Make a link ("blue clicky")". Try it out. Hint... I open things in a new window (like, where it says "test this link") and I copy the link before I do so. PM me, or maeve, I assume, if you need any help.

I've let this thread slip by until now. When I felt the need to post regarding my wife, Nigel responded right away. I feel somewhat shamed. But I just read all of this thread, and it has been good for my heart just now. I really think it will help me face my own current journey, if I can also come aboard with yours.

Dear Dean....WELCOME ABOARD! But first things first....no shame, ok? You haven't been neglecting this thread, you've been caring for your Wife, so please....no shame. You are now officially a member of the crew of 'The Rainbow' (You might also consider moving to Mudcat Avenue when we finally drop anchor). Travel with us...there is wisdom, knowledge & an abundance of Life's experiences here, a 'Life Library', 'The Book of Mudcat', it's all here, just a click away. With respect to your own thread, I must ask; is your Wife responding to her treatment? You said that you weren't out of the woods yet, but is that bright light beyond the tree-line visible? And finally, thank you very much for your generous praise regarding 'The Voyage'. Time to splice the mainbrace! With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Just returned from my Doctor...Diabetes Type 2 confirmed. One more blood test, then sort out the meds. Looks like it will be a combination of diet, plus one tab. per day. Don't feel too bad about that at all...quite relieved in a strange sort of way! Jane & her Husband will be back in the UK later this week & next week, her Sister & one of our Grandsons arrive from America (Charlotte NC). It's always fun when both the girls are together, so Ann & I have something to look forward to, With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Having been away and off-line for a long weekend and tired when I returned home, I just listened to your Voyage of the Rainbow. It's lovely. Well done!

Type 2 is what I have. I started on one pill daily and followed all the directions for exercise and diet, but my meds were increased to two pills daily and eventually to three. I felt like a failure. At the same time I was angry at my body because I knew I was doing everything I was supposed to do but apparently getting worse in spite of my changes. I thought, "Why am I even bothering to do all this if I am getting worse, not better?" However, I kept at it and eventually my condition improved. Much later I read an article that said that doctors often start patients on a low dose because they don't want to over-medicate. Then they increase the meds if needed. If that happens to you, be assured that this is common in the treatment of people who are newly diagnosed.

And while I was away, I kept your family and those of other 'Catters in my prayers.

Thank you to all who've listened to 'The Voyage'. I'm beyond pleased that you like it! Since it was published, I've received some of the best reviews of my Music career! I'm very touched & increasingly sure I don't deserve such fulsome praise, but nevertheless, accept with gratitude. Good to hear from Freda, Sandra, ChanteyLass...we have such similar, shared Life experiences (song title pops into head: "You'll Never Walk Alone") To Dean: stow the oars, no need to row, the wind is set fair, enjoy the breeze on your face. But, if the weather changes, your rowing skills could well be in demand! I'm also imagining your Wife, up on deck beside you, sharing the breeze, listening to the water lapping at the hull. To Ebbie: It's interesting to contemplate just what a profound effect a thread like this can have. We've never lost sight of the reason why I first posted, back in January, but in terms of breadth & depth, this thread continues to develop, almost on a daily basis. If, as you say, your hopes for a better world have been renewed, then we need to hoist a special flag to mark such an auspicious occasion. Your Blessings are graciously received. With Love to You All, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx

Dean & Kat's needs are far greater than mine, Ann's or Jane's. By comparison, we're doing pretty well at the moment, so we're going to 'drop anchor' & row on over to D&K, See you there, With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Much appreciated, Nigel, but one thing I learned, from anudder Mudder, is we all have needs of great personal extent but no need for comparison "triage." One thing this place has is plenty of good thoughts, love, etc. to go round. So, I say dip yer oar in wherever or sit back and relax...it's all good and no limits!

ChanteyLass, Kat & Janie...you always manage to say the right thing just when I need to hear it most. I agree, CL, quantifying my/our needs is not an exact science. Our current situation seems to revolve around two 'criteria': Stability & our take on Normality. Thinking of Jane first, her condition is 'stable', in as much as the spread of her cancer has been halted & she is able to engage in about 80% (her oncologist's estimate) of what she would recognise as 'normal living'. If I 'triage' that against Dean's situation & our Dear Kat, my feeling is that, in the here & now, our 'needs' are of a lower order & I am beginning to feel unsettled about distracting folk from other, more acute threads. However, quoting Kat: "So, I say dip yer oar in wherever or sit back and relax...it's all good and no limits!" So true Kat, so true. The fact that You could write that, whilst having to deal with Fibromyalgia, fills me with awe & wonder. Your selflessness is a true measure of your character. Ann & I are so fortunate to have you all as Dear & Trusted Friends, With Love, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx

Hi Nigel, I have been following your thread and have been inspired by all the wonderful comments by the truly lovely people here on Mudcat,now I too have need of support , but have found it by reading all these posts! My darling husband Billy has to start Chemotherapy for CLL ( type of Leuchemia) so we are reeling at the moment.Hope you wont mind me sailing along with your gallent crew, I will sit quietly in the bow of the boat and listen in! With love to you and Ann and Jane Wendy xx

Wendy, consider yourself 'signed on' from this very moment. Feel free to sit where you choose & 'listen in', but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if before long, you were 'writing in' too! There are many good, wise & experienced 'Life Sailors' aboard, only too willing to hear your story. In the meantime, on behalf of our "Gallant Crew", Ann & I are holding you in our thoughts & wishing your Darling Husband Billy a positive outcome with the chemo. With Love, Nigel & Ann xxxxxxxxx

Start with me Wendy. And there a lot of others happy to listen although it might be only just that.......listening and good thoughts. And on that I seem to need to address my cousin Nigel here when he says, "I am beginning to feel unsettled about distracting folk from other, more acute threads."

Don't........I have found that when this group especially and human beings in general open their heart to others, the working capacity of that heart is pretty unlimited. Now you know that's true but you don't want to have anyone feel "put upon" or whatever. So lemmee say that if I think you're over the edge, I'll send you a note. Until then.................

Top of the Afternoon to you too! Ann & I drove to the seaside (only 17 miles away) to treat ourselves to a nice lunch. Car died as we parked...couldn't lock it...it wouldn't restart...called the AA...nice guy turns up, but looks warily at our keyless entry/starting system. He checks the basics, battery (good), cleans the battery terminals...car still as dead as the proverbial Dodo (great bird name for a Musician!) Inspiration strikes...he holds the fob right up close to the starting button & hey presto, everything bursts into life! We missed our lunch, but were able to drive home with no further problems. Phoned my local Toyota agent...apparently the keyless entry/start/stop can be affected by other radio frequencies...never experienced that before. The key fobs also had new batteries following a recent service. We shut the car down at home...waited a minute or two, it fired up perfectly & the doors locked/unlocked as per usual....not quite the way we'd planned to spend a sunny afternoon by the sea! Give me 'The Rainbow' any day, not a battery or wireless device in sight. With Love, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx

my mum died yesterday;thankyou to you all for your prayers and expressions of kind concern. it was late jan when they eventually diagnosed correctly ,and forcaste 8 weeks at most.she obviously well exceeded that ,reaching her 84th birthday and having a new great granchild in her arms ,which bought her great joy-and was wonderful to see.and we thought we would not see it. i will catch up later.bless you all . pete

Wendy, Pete, Nigel, Dean, Spaw, Rick, Little John, kat, Barry, Art, Severn... and so many more over the years aided by the community of compassion and support at this here Mudcat Café from far and wide... innit quite something? Brings a tear to my eye to witness it all.

Dear Pete, Ann & I are saddened to hear of the death of your beloved Mother & send you our Love & sincere condolences. Your faith in God will bring you much-needed comfort & support. You've been voyaging with us for some time now...stay with us, particularly as you chart your way through the unsettling seas ahead. Our Hearts go out to You, your Family & Friends, With Love, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxx

gnu, couldn't agree more...a 'Community of Compassion'. There is something about MC that has attracted a wealth of good & honourable people, all of whom have their PHd from The University of Life. Certainly brings tears to my eyes...all too frequently! With Love, Nigel & Ann. xxxxxxxxxx